Macromol. Mater. Eng. 2/2009

Abstract

Cover: The cover picture summarizes the study of the negative temperature coefficient (NTC) of resistivity in lightweight conductive carbon nanotube-polymer composites. The SEM images show the typical microstructure consisting of walls and struts. The bottom images show the gas fraction-dependence of the NTC effect (right), and the gas expansion-induced NTC schematic (left). Further details can be found in the article by

Dissolution mechanisms of .BETA.-tricalcium phosphate doped with monovalent metal ions

“…7)9) This higher solubility of ¢-TCP can lead to re-fracture associated with degradation in the mechanical strength of implants during bone remodeling processes, in addition to the inflammatory reactions. 9) Taking this viewpoint into account, implant biomaterials must maintain appropriate strength and suitable activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in a biological environment.…”

“…3), 9) Some elements such as Zn, Mg, and Si are considered to stimulate bone growth and osteogenesis, leading to the formation of new bone tissue. 28)34) In fact, Zn-TCP has been shown to enhance bone growth via increased cell growth and viability.…”

Electrical conductivity and major mechanical and thermal properties of carbon nanotube‐filled polyurethane foams

“…Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which are widely used to mix with various polymers to manufacture conductive composites,11–14 can be well dispersed in the polymeric foam composites, as described in our previous work 15, 16. The nanometer‐scale diameter CNTs can avoid the limitation of large‐size conventional conductivity fillers, and the extremely large aspect ratio allows a low loading of fillers to provide the desired electrical conductivity without sacrificing other inherent properties of the polymer.…”

“…In our previous work, the lightest conductive polymer composite (a density of 0.05 g cm −3 ) with a weight‐reduction rate of 96.2% based on carbon nanotubes and rigid PU foam was prepared and this novel conductive material exhibits an interesting density‐dependent conductor‐insulator transition 15. Moreover, the unique negative temperature coefficient (NTC) effect of the solid‐state lightweight conductive CNTs/soft PU composite was observed, which usually appeared in the melted conductive polymer composites due to formation of a more perfect conductive network through re‐organization of conductive fillers in low viscosity fluid 16…”

High‐Performance Carbon Nanotube‐Reinforced Bioplastic

“…Due to their extremely high Young's modulus (≈1 TPa) and tensile strength (≈60 GPa), as well as their unique deformation behaviors,7 carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have generated great interest in the potential development of super‐strong and super‐stiff polymer composite materials with CNT reinforcement 8–12. Recently, a number of papers have appeared on the preparation, characterization, and properties of CNT‐reinforced PLA composite materials 13.…”